$124M Risperdal Verdict Upheld by South Carolina Justices

January 14, 2016 — The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Johnson & Johnson’s appeal of a $124 million verdict for improperly marketing the antipsychotic drug Risperdal.

The drug-maker called the verdict an “excessive fine.” According to Reuters, the appeal was backed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the wealthiest pro-business lobbying group in the nation.

The dispute dates back to 2011, when a jury in South Carolina ordered the drug-maker to pay $327 million for marketing violations. Last June, the state Supreme Court lowered the amount to $124 million.

Dozens of other states filed similar lawsuits, but Johnson & Johnson successfully negotiated to pay less than $5 million to each of 36 states and D.C., Law360 reports. A massive $1.2 billion jury verdict in Arkansas was reduced to just $7.75 million.

The verdicts still pale in comparison to the $2.2 billion settlement the company was ordered to pay the Justice Department in November 2013. Johnson & Johnson was accused of using aggressive and illegal tactics to promote Risperdal over cheaper and equally-effective generic drugs. As a result, state Medicaid programs paid significantly more for brand-name Risperdal than they should have.

The drug-maker was also accused of misleading doctors about side effects like gynecomastia, a condition that causes young men to develop large breasts. More than 1,000 lawsuits have been centralized in Pennsylvania.

Do I have a Risperdal Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Risperdal induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with gynecomastia, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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